Guided Imagery for Head and Neck Cancer

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Psychiatric instability, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a technique called guided imagery to help people with head and neck cancer feel less anxious or depressed during radiotherapy. Guided imagery involves listening to or reading calming stories to ease the mind. The trial compares this method to the usual way patients handle treatment-related stress, known as Treatment as Usual. Suitable participants have head and neck cancer and are beginning radiotherapy at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Participants should be able to attend online or phone meetings and feel generally stable mentally.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore new ways to improve mental well-being during cancer treatment.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that guided imagery is safe for reducing radiotherapy-related symptoms in head and neck cancer patients?

Research has shown that guided imagery is generally well-received by patients with head and neck cancer. Studies have found that it can enhance patients' satisfaction and quality of life during radiation treatment. Guided imagery safely helps manage symptoms like anxiety and depression. Available research reports no major negative effects linked to guided imagery, making it a safe choice for patients considering this type of supportive care. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Guided Imagery is unique because it offers a non-invasive, mind-body approach to managing head and neck cancer symptoms. Unlike standard treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, Guided Imagery uses visualization techniques to help patients cope with stress, anxiety, and pain associated with their condition. Researchers are excited about this approach because it empowers patients to play an active role in their own healing process, potentially improving quality of life without the side effects often associated with traditional cancer treatments.

What evidence suggests that guided imagery is effective for reducing anxiety and depression in head and neck cancer patients?

Research shows that guided imagery, which participants in this trial may receive, can improve the well-being of people with head and neck cancer. Studies have found that it lessens pain, discomfort, and stress during radiation treatment. Patients reported feeling better overall and more satisfied when using guided imagery. This technique involves imagining calming scenes to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. While researchers continue to explore all the benefits, early results suggest it can effectively manage symptoms in cancer patients. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Elissa Kolva

Principal Investigator

University of Colorado, Denver

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-100 with confirmed head and neck cancer, including metastases from other tumors. Participants must be able to read and communicate in English, have no unmanaged psychiatric symptoms or dementia, and be starting radiotherapy at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. They need internet or phone access for remote meetings.

Inclusion Criteria

Ability to read and communicate in English

Initiation of RT at the University of Colorado Cancer Center

I can meet online or by phone.

Exclusion Criteria

Any individual who does not meet the inclusion criteria

Those who are determined, by mental health professionals, to be psychiatrically unstable

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Radiotherapy

Participants undergo radiotherapy with or without guided imagery intervention

7 weeks

Weekly visits for radiotherapy sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after radiotherapy

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person), 1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Guided Imagery
• Treatment as Usual

Trial Overview The study tests whether guided imagery can help reduce anxiety and depression related to radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancers compared to usual treatment without this intervention. It's a pilot study focusing on feasibility, acceptability, and initial effectiveness.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Guided Imagery Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The GI intervention will include direct, written, and audio delivery of one of three GI vignettes (depiction).The patient will be able to choose one of the three vignettes.

Group II: Treatment as Usual Active Control 1 Intervention

The control, or treatment as usual condition, will include an orientation to radiotherapy from the clinic nurse coordinator.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Colorado, Denver

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,842

Recruited

3,028,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9446833/

Guided imagery for treatment (GIFT): protocol of a pilot trial of ... It is a reliable, valid measure of quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer [32]. Exploratory outcomes. Participant use of anxiolytic medications ...

2. redjournal.org redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(14)02672-8/fulltext

Guided Imagery Improves Head and Neck Cancer Patients ... Study endpoints included HNCPs pain and discomfort levels during RT treatment, general stress, quality of life and patient satisfaction. A patient completed the ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1805057/

Head and neck cancer: how imaging predicts treatment ... Pretreatment imaging findings have predictive value for patient outcome, independently from the currently used TNM classification, and may be used to tailor ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053429623000589

The Use of MR-Guided Radiation Therapy for Head and ... Goals of this article is to present and explain all different aspects of MR-guidance for radiotherapy of head and neck cancer, summarize evidence, as well as ...

5. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-022-07034-5

Cross-institutional outcome prediction for head and neck ... The proposed model demonstrates an effective method for tumor outcome prediction for multi-site, multi-modal combining both volumetric data and structured ...

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27125531/

Utility of recorded guided imagery and relaxing music in ... Short-contact recorded guided imagery and relaxing music appear not to reduce patient pain and anxiety during excisional procedures under local anesthetic.

7. news.vumc.org news.vumc.org/2025/06/23/data-from-fluorescence-imaging-can-improve-outcomes-in-head-and-neck-cancer-surgery-study/

Data from fluorescence imaging can improve outcomes in ... A study published in the journal JAMA Surgery demonstrated the benefits of using fluorescence-guided imaging to assess margins in head and neck ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632423000288

Incidental findings and safety events from magnetic ... In this study, we report the incidental findings and safety events that were observed in our initial experience with MRI sim for head and neck radiotherapy.